Château Soutard 2015

This 30ha, 16th-century estate is located mostly on the clay-limestone soils of the plateau, the quality of this historic terroir shining through in 2015. The wine, a blend of 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec, was fermented in a mix of 60hL wooden and 60hL stainless steel tanks, and aged in 60% new oak barrels, the remainder in second-fill. Gareth Birchley: Marzipan. Starting to show signs of evolution. Fine tannins and lovely length, but possibly a touch hot. Vincenzo Arnese: Crisp and intense, with good structure and richness. A little grippy and tannic, with a moderately long finish. Arthur Coggill: Crisp and intense, with good structure and richness. A little grippy and tannic, with a moderately long finish.

A juicy, layered red with chocolate and berry character. Some wet-earth and pine-needle undertones. Medium to full body with round, velvety tannins. Delicious already but better in 2020.

Floral notes meld with black raspberries, licorice, espresso and dark chocolate, giving the wine its character. The wine has soft tannins and an approachable, forward personality.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim, ripe plums, some nougat, soft herbal spice, a hint of black olives in the background. Full-bodied, red cherries, subtle fruit sweetness, very lively on the palate, fresh and persistent, salty finish, cherry fruit also on the aftertaste.

The 2015 Château Soutard shows plenty of oak, yet offers ample crème de cassis, toasted spice, raspberry jam and licorice aromatics. Medium-bodied, supple and polished on the palate, with ripe tannin, tons of charming fruit, and sweet tannin, it's a ripe, sexy wine that also has rock solid elegance and purity.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, ruby rim. The bouquet comes across as somewhat alcoholic (something almost never found in the 2015 vintage). The fruit seems cooked and shows hints of Port. On the palate, it has a somewhat odd sweetness, with fairly firm, slightly rough tannins at its core. It feels more forced than skillful. Potential rating – no purchase recommendation:

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, ruby rim. The bouquet seems rather alcoholic (something you rarely encountered in the 2015 vintage). The fruit tastes cooked and shows Port-like notes. On the palate, it has a somewhat odd sweetness, with inner tannins that are firm and slightly rough. It comes across as more intended than accomplished. Potential rating – no purchase recommendation:

Sweet, lightly alcoholic bouquet, cherries, elderberry. Firm, classic palate with fine sandy tannins, sweet aromatics, broad structure, good fruit, dry finish. 16/20 2024 - 2032

The 2015 Soutard is a blend of 63% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Malbec. Medium to deep garnet colored, it rocks up with open-knit notes of black cherries, warm plums, and raspberry preserves, plus suggestions of charcoal and bay leaves. The full-bodied palate is packed with muscular black fruits, framed by chewy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long.

Flavorful tannin with a lovely, deep finish.

The color is dark with lovely aromas of blackberry and, above all, spices. The wine is supple, with beautiful density—a blend of charm and depth. Plenty of smoothness hides its tannic structure thanks to a very gentle extraction.

Deep garnet red with purple highlights. The bouquet shows good intensity, marked by its ageing, with chocolate, vanilla and licorice wood. I also detect notes of dark fruits and Morello cherries. A delicious, fruity attack. On the palate, the wine shows breadth. It is creamy, with a lively, warm structure. The ageing is also well underlined. Warm finish.

Dark, bright, and intense colour. Slightly discreet nose with ripe fruit. Caressing on the attack, suave as it unfolds and very fruity mid-palate, evolving with a slightly saline persistence. Medium-length finish.

In the same vein as the fine 2014, Soutard 2015 is dynamic and vigorous, with no slackening whatsoever—energetic and taut, with a rich, tightly knit core and a refined, lingering finish.

92–94. Barrel Sample. This is a perfumed wine, rich in black plum and berry fruits. It has delicious acidity and a balanced structure that hints at wood and smokiness. The power is there, restrained by the fruit.